Picture Book Showcases Golda Meir’s Tenacity

Notable heads of state oftentimes exhibit signs of extraordinary leadership skills at a young age. In the picture book, Goldie Takes a Stand: Golda Meir’s First Crusade, Barbara Krasnser, focuses on a little known fact about Golda Meir’s youth. Golda Meir (1898-1978), Israel’s 4th Prime Minister (1969-1974) was born in Kiev. She spent her early years as an Eastern European Jewish immigrant in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Barbara shines a light on one aspect of Golda’s American childhood.

Golda appointed herself as president of the American Young Sisters Society and organized a fundraiser to raise money for children’s textbooks. This picture book highlights how she was able to successfully accomplish her goal.

Barbara Krasner takes primary readers back in time to the early part of the 20th century. This brief visit illustrates the cost of living and how immigrant children worked side-by-side with their parents. Kelsey Garrity-Riley’s muted drawings add texture to the story by subtly including artifacts and apparel from that era. These special touches can lead to conversations that compare and contrast today’s life with life back then.

Immigrant children residing in lower socio-economic communities might possibly relate with Golda’s immigrant experience. Young readers will be inspired by Golda’s determination to take civic action. Golda demonstrates how children can make a difference in the lives of people who are less fortunate.

Barbara skillfully brought life to this situation by writing a historical based narrative that includes creative dialogue. The characters’ conversations support the 20th century immigrant experience and the importance of education. Simultaneously, they maintain the pace of the story.

During Golda’s fundraising speech, she states

Imagine what it feels like to sit in your classroom with a textbook. You can’t follow the teacher. You can’t do your work. Education is the only way for us to lift ourselves out of poverty.

Children unfamiliar with one of the world’s remarkable women leaders of the 20th century will not be able to place Golda into historical context unless they read the short bio at the end of the book. Thus, the overall significance might be lost if readers don’t turn the page at the conclusion of the story. Those who choose to read the brief overview, will hopefully seek out more information. Barbara provides a handful of resources.

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Sandra’s Bio

Sandra Bornstein is the author of MAY THIS BE THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE. It is available on Amazon. Sandra’s memoir highlights her living and teaching adventure in Bangalore, India. She is a licensed Colorado teacher who has taught K-12 students in the United States and abroad as well as college level courses. Sandra is married and has four adult sons. The memoir was a finalist in the Travel category for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the 2013 International Book Awards, the 2013 National Indie Book Excellence Awards, the 2013 USA Best Book Awards, and received an Honorable Mention award in the Multicultural Non-Fiction category for the 2013 Global ebook Awards